U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)...partnered with U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and John Curtis (R-UT) to introduce bipartisan legislation that expands cooperation between the United States and Taiwan in drone production.
Introduce legislation to expand cooperation between the United States and Taiwan in drone production.
Occurrences
A bipartisan group of senators has introduced a bill that would expand cooperation between the United States and Taiwan in drone system development and production, as policymakers consider ways to strengthen American national security and support the self-governing island’s efforts to boost its defenses. The Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026, introduced by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Curtis (R-Utah), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.), aims to build an unmanned aerial systems (UAS) supply chain free from the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) control.
A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a bill to enhance cooperation with Taiwan on drone development and to reduce reliance on supply chains linked to China. The proposed Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 was introduced by Republican US senators Ted Cruz and John Curtis, and Democratic US senators Jeff Merkley and Andy Kim. The legislation seeks to ease constraints on Taiwan-US cooperation in uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), including dependence on China-sourced components, limited access to capital and regulatory barriers under US export controls, a news release issued by Cruz on Wednesday said. ... The bill would establish a "Blue UAS Working Group," led by the US departments of state and defense, to assess Taiwan's drone production capacity and identify opportunities and obstacles to integrating Taiwan-made components into US defense supply chains. It also calls for the establishment of a cooperative framework with regional allies to develop supply chains independent of China, while directing US agencies to create a fast-track certification process for Taiwanese drone manufacturers and component suppliers.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced a bill to strengthen cooperation with Taiwan on drone development and to reduce reliance on supply chains linked to China. The proposed Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 was introduced by Republicans Ted Cruz and John Curtis and Democrats Jeff Merkley and Andy Kim. The legislation seeks to ease constraints on U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including dependence on China-sourced components, limited access to capital, and regulatory barriers under U.S. export controls, according to a news release issued by Cruz on Wednesday.
On April 1, 2026, Senators Ted Cruz, John Curtis, Jeff Merkley, and Andy Kim introduced the 'Blue Skies for Taiwan Act' to expand Taiwan's drone system capabilities, reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains, and strengthen U.S.–Taiwan drone cooperation.
Senators John Curtis, Jeff Merkley, Ted Cruz, and Andy Kim introduced bipartisan legislation to expand cooperation between the United States and Taiwan on the development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The Blue Skies for Taiwan Act promotes the development, production, and deployment of secure, resilient UAS to enhance American national security and support the defense and resilience of Taiwan.
On April 1, 2026, Senators Ted Cruz, Jeff Merkley, John Curtis, and Andy Kim introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026. The legislation aims to expand Taiwan's ability to develop drone system components independent of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) technology and supply chains. The bill proposes establishing a Blue UAS Working Group, led by the Departments of State and Defense, to assess Taiwan's drone production capacity and identify opportunities for integrating Taiwan-manufactured UAS and components into the Defense Contract Management Agency's Blue UAS program.
A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a bill to enhance cooperation with Taiwan on drone development and to reduce reliance on supply chains linked to China. The proposed Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 was introduced by Republican US senators Ted Cruz and John Curtis, and Democratic US senators Jeff Merkley and Andy Kim. The legislation seeks to ease constraints on Taiwan-US cooperation in uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), including dependence on China-sourced components, limited access to capital and regulatory barriers under US export controls, a news release issued by Cruz on Wednesday said.
Senators Ted Cruz, John Curtis, Jeff Merkley, and Andy Kim introduced the 'Blue Skies for Taiwan Act' to expand Taiwan's drone system capabilities, reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains, and strengthen U.S.–Taiwan drone cooperation.
Senators Ted Cruz, Jeff Merkley, John Curtis, and Andy Kim introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026. The legislation aims to expand Taiwan's ability to develop drone system components independent of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) technology and supply chains. The bill proposes establishing a Blue UAS Working Group, led by the Departments of State and Defense, to assess Taiwan's drone production capacity and identify opportunities for integrating Taiwan-manufactured UAS and components into the Defense Contract Management Agency's Blue UAS program.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced a bill to strengthen cooperation with Taiwan on drone development and to reduce reliance on supply chains linked to China. The proposed Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 was introduced by Republicans Ted Cruz and John Curtis and Democrats Jeff Merkley and Andy Kim.
Senators John Curtis, Jeff Merkley, Ted Cruz, and Andy Kim introduced bipartisan legislation to expand cooperation between the United States and Taiwan on the development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a bill to enhance cooperation with Taiwan on drone development and to reduce reliance on supply chains linked to China. The proposed Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 was introduced by Republican US senators Ted Cruz and John Curtis, and Democratic US senators Jeff Merkley and Andy Kim. The legislation seeks to ease constraints on Taiwan-US cooperation in uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), including dependence on China-sourced components, limited access to capital and regulatory barriers under US export controls...
S.4125 — Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 was introduced on April 1, 2026, by Senators Curtis, Merkley, Cruz, and Kim. The bill aims to fortify the United States’ partnership with Taiwan by establishing mechanisms for bilateral collaboration in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) supply chains, specifically to reduce reliance on PRC-controlled technologies and promote secure drone development.
Ted Cruz (TX) is listed as a cosponsor of the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026, a bill "to promote the development, production, and deployment of secure and resilient Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to enhance United States national security and support the defense and resilience of Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific Region."
Evidence
On April 1, 2026, Senators Ted Cruz, Jeff Merkley, John Curtis, and Andy Kim introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026. The legislation aims to expand Taiwan's ability to develop drone system components independent of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) technology and supply chains. The bill proposes establishing a Blue UAS Working Group, led by the Departments of State and Defense, to assess Taiwan's drone production capacity and identify opportunities for integrating Taiwan-manufactured UAS and components into the Defense Contract Management Agency's Blue UAS program.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, including Ted Cruz, introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 to enhance cooperation with Taiwan on drone development and reduce reliance on supply chains linked to China. The bill seeks to ease constraints on U.S.–Taiwan cooperation in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including dependence on China-sourced components, limited access to capital, and regulatory barriers under U.S. export controls.
On April 1, 2026, Senators Ted Cruz, John Curtis, Jeff Merkley, and Andy Kim introduced the 'Blue Skies for Taiwan Act' to expand Taiwan's drone system capabilities, reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains, and strengthen U.S.–Taiwan drone cooperation. The bill proposes creating a Blue UAS Working Group, led by the State Department and the Department of Defense, to assess Taiwan's drone production capabilities and identify opportunities to include Taiwan-made drones in the Defense Contract Management Agency's Blue UAS program.
A bipartisan group of senators, including Ted Cruz, introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 to expand cooperation between the United States and Taiwan in drone system development and production. The legislation aims to build an unmanned aerial systems (UAS) supply chain free from the Chinese Communist Party's control.
On April 1, 2026, Senators John Curtis, Jeff Merkley, Ted Cruz, and Andy Kim introduced bipartisan legislation to expand cooperation between the United States and Taiwan on the development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The Blue Skies for Taiwan Act promotes the development, production, and deployment of secure, resilient UAS to enhance American national security and support the defense and resilience of Taiwan.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, including Ted Cruz, introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 to strengthen cooperation with Taiwan on drone development and reduce reliance on supply chains linked to China. The legislation seeks to ease constraints on U.S.–Taiwan cooperation in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including dependence on China-sourced components, limited access to capital, and regulatory barriers under U.S. export controls.
S.4125 — Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 was introduced on April 1, 2026, by Senators Curtis, Merkley, Cruz, and Kim. The bill aims to fortify the United States’ partnership with Taiwan by establishing mechanisms for bilateral collaboration in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) supply chains, specifically to reduce reliance on PRC-controlled technologies and promote secure drone development.
Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Cruz, and Mr. Curtis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. The bill's short title is Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026, and its full title says it is to promote the development, production, and deployment of secure and resilient Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to enhance United States national security and support the defense and resilience of Taiwan.
U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz, Jeff Merkley, John Curtis, and Andy Kim introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026. The legislation expands Taiwan's ability to develop drone system components that do not rely on technology or supply chains potentially compromised by the Chinese Communist Party and deepens U.S.-Taiwan cooperation on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) development.
GovInfo lists S. 4259 as introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2026. The action line states that Mr. Merkley, for himself, Mr. Cruz, and Mr. Curtis, introduced the bill, which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Ted Cruz is listed among the cosponsors.
GovInfo's bill record for S. 4259 shows that on March 26, 2026, Sens. Merkley, Cruz, and Curtis introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026, read it twice, and referred it to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The text directs a Blue UAS working group to assess Taiwan's domestic drone production capacity and identify opportunities for U.S.-Taiwan co-development and co-production of UAS systems and components.
GovInfo shows S. 4259 was introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2026 by Sen. Merkley for himself, Sen. Cruz, and Sen. Curtis, then read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. The bill text is to promote the development, production, and deployment of secure and resilient UAS to support Taiwan.
GovInfo lists S. 4259 as the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026, introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2026. Its action says Mr. Merkley, for himself, Mr. Cruz, and Mr. Curtis, introduced the bill, which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. The full title says the bill promotes development, production, and deployment of secure and resilient UAS to support Taiwan.
The introduced bill text says Mr. Merkley, for himself, Mr. Cruz, and Mr. Curtis, introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026. The bill would establish a Blue UAS working group to assess Taiwan's domestic drone production capacity and evaluate opportunities for U.S.-Taiwan co-development and co-production of UAS systems and components.
Sen. Cruz's office states that Ted Cruz, Jeff Merkley, John Curtis, and Andy Kim introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026. The release says the legislation expands Taiwan's ability to develop drone system components independent of compromised CCP-linked supply chains and deepens U.S.-Taiwan cooperation on UAS development.
Assessments
Ted Cruz was named in the official Senate introduction of S. 4259, the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026, on March 26, 2026. The bill's title and text directly address development, production, and deployment of secure UAS for Taiwan, including U.S.-Taiwan co-development, co-production, supply-chain cooperation, and Blue UAS certification mechanisms. Because the promise was to introduce legislation, not to enact it, the introduction itself fulfills the promised outcome during Cruz's current Senate term.
The promise was specifically to introduce legislation expanding U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in drone production. Official congressional records show Ted Cruz was a named original sponsor/cosponsor of the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026, introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2026, with text aimed at promoting Taiwan-related secure UAS development, production, deployment, and U.S.-Taiwan co-development opportunities. Because the promised action was introduction of legislation, and Cruz materially participated in that introduction while in office, the promise was fulfilled in the same term.
Cruz co-introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 in the Senate during his current term. The bill explicitly sought to expand U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in drone/UAS production and development, matching the promise to introduce legislation. Because the commitment was to introduce legislation, enactment was not required for delivery.
The promise was to introduce legislation expanding U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in drone production, not necessarily to enact it. Official congressional records and Senate press materials show Cruz was an original co-introducer of the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 in March/April 2026, and the bill explicitly aimed to deepen U.S.-Taiwan cooperation on unmanned aerial systems development, production, and supply chains. Because the promised action was the introduction of such legislation and Cruz materially participated in that introduction while serving in office, this counts as delivered in the same term.
Ted Cruz co-introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026, and the official bill record and his Senate office both show legislation was introduced to expand U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in drone/UAS production and development. That directly fulfills the promise to introduce legislation, regardless of whether the bill later became law.
Sen. Ted Cruz co-introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 (introduced April 1, 2026; listed on Congress.gov and in congressional records and press releases) to expand U.S.-Taiwan cooperation on unmanned aerial systems/drone production and supply chains. The bill sponsorship and official texts directly match the promised action of introducing legislation.
Ted Cruz was a sitting U.S. senator when he co-introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 on April 1, 2026. The bill directly matches the promise because it proposes expanded U.S.-Taiwan cooperation on unmanned aerial systems, including drone production, components, supply chains, and development capacity. Since the promise was specifically to introduce legislation, introduction itself fulfills the outcome in the same federal term.
Ted Cruz co-introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 during his current Senate term. The bill directly matches the promise because it would expand U.S.-Taiwan cooperation on unmanned aerial systems and drone production, including secure supply chains and Taiwan-made UAS components. Because the promise was specifically to introduce legislation, not to enact it, introduction of the bill is enough for full delivery.
Multiple credible sources confirm that Senator Ted Cruz co-introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026, which directly addresses the campaign promise to expand U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in drone production. The evidence shows legislative introduction and intent aligning with the promise, delivered within the same term.
Multiple credible sources confirm that Senator Ted Cruz co-introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 during the same term, directly fulfilling the promise to introduce legislation expanding U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in drone production. The bill specifically addresses the creation of an unmanned aerial systems supply chain between the U.S. and Taiwan, reduction of reliance on China, and formal mechanisms to evaluate and promote collaboration. Thus, the campaign promise has been delivered within the specified timeframe.
Multiple reputable secondary sources confirm that Senator Ted Cruz co-introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act in 2026, which directly aimed to expand cooperation between the United States and Taiwan in drone production. The action matches the specificity and intent of the campaign promise, and the legislation was introduced during the same Senate term. Thus, the promise to introduce relevant legislation was fulfilled.
Multiple credible sources confirm that Senator Ted Cruz co-introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026, specifically to expand cooperation between the United States and Taiwan in drone production. The details align directly with the campaign promise, and the legislative action occurred within the same term. Therefore, the promise was fully delivered through substantial legislative effort.